Porto

Porto has always been a popular wine-loving destination — it's the place to go to discover the best of that sweet, delectable port wine. But this seaside city has more to offer than vinho. Porto (or Oporto, as it is often known) is a charming European minimetropolis on Portugal's northern coast, where tourists may enjoy culture and nature. Visitors may explore the city's many museums, enjoy its diverse architecture, unwind in its lush parks, and, of course, go to the beach.

The six arches that cross the Rio Douro (Douro River), which flows along Porto's southern shore, earned the city the nickname Cidade das Pontes, or "City of Bridges". The Dom Luis I Bridge, the most prominent of Porto's six structures, provides the greatest views of the Douro River. From here, you can get a taste of Porto's distinct beauty, from its colorful UNESCO World Heritage historic area to the adjacent town of Vila Nova de Gaia to the south, where the region's famed vineyards can be found.

You may spend a long weekend or a week walking around the city, exploring modern art in the Serralves Foundation complex and learning about the history of Porto's historic churches like the Sé and Igreja de So Francisco. Whatever you choose to see and do in this enthralling city, you'll leave with a new respect for Porto's many attractions, some beautiful images, and, preferably, a bottle or two of its best wine.